Bob Dylan grateful for Nobel Prize, compares his musical approach to Shakespeare

Bob Dylan expressed gratitudeat receiving the Nobel Prize in literature and was "beyond words" at being includedamong the "giants" of writing.

Dylan didn't attendSaturday's award ceremonyin Stockholm. But in remarks read at the banquetby the American ambassador to Sweden, Azita Raji, the musician said he'd absorbed the great works of Rudyard Kipling, Pearl Buck and Earnest Hemingway, among others, from a young age.

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"These giants of literature whose works are taught in the schoolroom, housed in libraries around the world and spoken of in reverent tones have always made a deep impression. That I now join the names on such a list is truly beyond words."

I would bet that the farthest thing from Shakespeare's mind was the question 'Is thisliterature?'- Bob Dylan in Nobel Prize acceptance speech

The musician said he was "out on the road" when he first got word of his win and had to "properly process it."

The Mr. Tambourine Man and Like a Rolling Stoneartist alluded to the debate about giving the award to a songwriter and said the newsled him to think of William Shakespeare.

He said he believed Shakespeare would have been more concerned in his time with practical matters related to his work, such as the best actors for the roles and whether there was financingin place.

"I would bet that the farthest thing from Shakespeare's mind was the question 'Is thisliterature?'"

Dylan went on to say after touring and performing for decades,his songs are still "at the vital centreof almost everything I do" and"have found a place in the lives of many people."

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"But, like Shakespeare, I too am often occupied with the pursuit of my creative endeavours and dealing with all aspects of life's mundane matters. 'Who are the best musicians for these songs?''Am I recording in the right studio?''Is this song in the right key?'Some things never change, even in 400 years."

He thanked the Swedish Academy for considering the question about whether his songs are literatureand "providing such a wonderful answer."

Concert promoterLive Nation has also announced that Dylan will give two concerts at the Waterfront in the Swedish capital on April 1 and 2, as well as play in the southwestern city of Lund on April 9. Hisprevious gigs in Sweden were in 2015, when he played two sold-out concerts at the Waterfront, which has a capacity of 3,000.